Visual & Performing Arts

UPPER SCHOOL Visual & Performing ArtsL

VISUAL ARTS

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART AND DESIGN

Full Year

Following requirements designated by the College Board, highly motivated, advanced level art students prepare either the AP 2D Art and Design, AP 3D Art and Design, or Drawing portfolio for evaluation at the end of the school year. Students must demonstrate quality, concentration, and breadth in their work. The portfolio consists of three parts: • Quality – examples of work that demonstrate mastery • Concentration – slides of a personal body of exemplary work designed by the student • Breadth – slides showing a wide range of ability in working with various materials, tools, and subjects Students may submit two portfolios during high school. Prerequisite for AP Drawing: Drawing I, II, III. Prerequisite for AP 2D Art and Design: Printmaking I, II, III. Drawing I strongly suggested. Prerequisite for AP 3D Art and Design: Sculpture I, II, III. Students may also fulfill the prerequisites by participating in pre-college programs or attending classes at art schools. Summer preparation for AP courses is expected. Departmental recommendation required

All Upper School art courses have a prerequisite of Foundations of Studio Art.

The following Upper School art courses are semester electives, meeting 4 times per 6-day cycle, for 1/2 credit:

FOUNDATIONS OF STUDIO ART

Required of all new students to the NYA Upper School who wish to take visual arts. Not required for rising freshmen who attended NYA Middle School. This course is designed to help students understand and utilize the Language of Art. The main emphasis of this course is the Elements of Form and the Principles of Design as they apply in art construction. Students learn that creating artwork begins with a proper foundation of artistic skills that can then be built upon. The teacher encourages students to practice learning the fundamental techniques to maximize the greatest potential for unique self-expression. At the end of the semester, students are fortified with formal fundamentals they can utilize in any form of artistic expression in the future. Foundations is a survey studio course that teaches students creative methods in various techniques such as: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture. (1 semester)

DRAWING I, II, III, ADVANCED

This is a working studio curriculum designed to teach the fundamental mediums and techniques used to create finished drawings. In the beginning of the semester, students practice drawing from a still life to establish a proper way of seeing three-dimensional form and translating it onto a two-dimensional surface. Value is added later to show how it can create the illusion of form and help effect mood in a work of art. Students progress through the semester with a series of projects designed to develop sensitivity to the application of mediums and surface quality. As they begin to gain confidence in their ability, students focus on utilizing the fundamentals of drawing to recreate a personal/perceptual experience. Finally, the more abstract aspects of drawing are incorporated side by side with the more perceptually based aspects. (1 semester each)

PAINTING I, II, III, ADVANCED

This is a working studio curriculum designed to teach the fundamental mediums and techniques used to create finished oil paintings. Initially, students learn basic mixing and paint application on a series of black and white still life paintings. After mastering that level, students move on to a series of limited palette paintings. These are designed to increase their color vocabulary and teach them how to create the illusion of three- dimensional form on a two dimensional surface. As the semester progresses, students are asked to complete paintings using a cool palette, a warm palette and a complimentary palette. As they begin to gain confidence in their ability, students focus on utilizing the fundamentals of painting to recreate a personal/perceptual experience. Finally, students incorporate the more abstract aspects of painting side by side with the more perceptually based aspects. (1 semester each)

PRINTMAKING I, II, III, ADVANCED

This is a working studio curriculum designed to teach the fundamental mediums and techniques used to create finished prints. In the beginning of the semester, students learn about the various methods of printmaking including: Monotype, Lino-Block, Stenciling, Silk Screen, Etching and Wood Block. The focus of the first semester is to learn different printmaking methods while strengthening the understanding of the language of art. Students can expect to create wall paper designs with lino-block prints, spray paint prints with stencils, vintage movie posters with silk screens, and a personal Coat of Arms. (1 semester each)

SCULPTURE I, II, III, ADVANCED

This curriculum is designed to introduce the materials and techniques used to create three-dimensional artworks. The prerequisite for Sculpture I is Foundations of Studio Art. Students learn to create artwork from a variety of media, including clay, plaster,

wood, bristol board, wire, paper and found objects. In addition to the elements of art and principles of design, students also work on understanding specific sculpture principles such as mass, form, space, light, time and location. The main emphasis of this course is the development of critical thinking skills as they apply to three dimensional art forms and to help students gain a deeper understanding of visual art. (1 semester each)

PERFORMING ARTS

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY

Full Year

This course is designed for juniors and seniors who wish to develop further their skills in musical composition and ear training. It emphasizes fundamentals of traditional harmony and counterpoint, vocalization of intervals, scales and sight singing. Melodic and harmonic dictation skills are stressed throughout the year. Students prepare to take the AP Music Theory exam given in May.

The following Upper School courses meet twice a week for the full academic year for 1/2 credit:

UPPER SCHOOL MIXED CHORUS

In this group of mixed voices, students study vocal performance using a varied repertoire of choral music, including folk, pop, spiritual, classical and novelty songs. Students are encouraged to participate in small ensembles including but not limited to Treble Chorus and Varsity Singers. In addition, students are encouraged to audition for District II, All-State, All- Eastern, and National Music Festivals, coached on audition requirements, and fully supported throughout the festivals. Theory skills, sight-singing, ear training, and good vocal techniques are developed and reinforced. Performances are scheduled 2 to 3 times per year. WIND ENSEMBLE

This performing ensemble is open to woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians, and emphasizes traditional wind literature. Students work as an ensemble to build group skills of tone, blend, and intonation. Individual theory skills and instrumental technique are developed and reinforced. Students are encouraged to audition for District II, AllState, and All-Eastern Festivals, coached on audition requirements, and fully supported throughout the festivals. Performances are scheduled 2 to 3 times per year. CLUB ENSEMBLES

In addition to the above graded ensembles, there are numerous opportunities to be involved in non-graded ensembles, including Bluegrass, Glee, Jazz Combo, Men’s Vocal Ensemble, Treble Choir, and Varsity Singers. Students are also supported in forming their own groups.

JAZZ BAND

This performing group emphasizes traditional jazz band literature. Jazz styles such as swing, Latin and rock are studied, as well as historical perspectives of the various genres. Opportunities are in place for students to participate in District and State Jazz Honors Festivals. Performances are scheduled 2 to 3 times per year.

ORCHESTRA

This performing group is open to students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Openings for piano, acoustic guitar, or harp are possible with instructor permission. The string ensemble performs string orchestra literature, and explores non-conducted chamber music repertoire. Theory/music reading and individual string technique are developed and reinforced. Students are encouraged to audition for District II, All-State, and All-Eastern Festivals, coached on audition requirements, and fully supported throughout the festivals. Performances are scheduled 2 to 3 times per year.

STEEL BAND

This performing ensemble plays a wide range of music written for steel drums, and is a great opportunity for students to be part of a music group even if they have no previous experience. Students participate in several performances, some of which require travel during the school day.